Jeff Weinell has always been fascinated with snakes the way they can live all over the world, from deserts to rainforests and even his familys backyard in Gonzales.
When Weinell, 30, graduated from East Ascension High School in 2009, his fascination was just a hobby as he started school at LSU, studying engineering for a time.
Ten years later, Weinell, a graduate research assistant at the University of Kansas' Biodiversity Institute, is responsible for the worlds most recent discovery of a new species of snake one that lives in the Philippines.
Weinell says he was able to take a hobby and "turn it in to something I do all the time.
Levitonius mirus, or the Waray dwarf burrowing snake, is native to the Samar and Leyte islands in the Philippines and only grows to be just over a half-foot long, according to the study published by Weinell and three of his colleagues in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Weinell discovered the snake by accident.
This was totally unplanned, as far as I wasnt going to look for a new species at all, Weinell said. I was hoping to work on a different project, looking at the evolutionary relationships among this group of snakes called Pseudorabdion. It looks superficially similar to this new snake, so it would have been easy for someone to misidentify that. While I was working on that, I found this one.
While running a DNA sequence on a sample of what he thought was a Pseudorabdion in 2017, Weinell realized the DNA did not match the species he thought he was studying. Further analysis of the sample revealed that three specimens stored at the institutes biodiversity collection, gathered on missions between 2006 and 2012, were an entirely new species.
After years of gathering data on the new snake, Weinell and his colleagues published their findings.
The snakes Latin name, Levitonius mirus, was coined by Weinell partially after a mentor, California Academy of Sciences researcher Alan Leviton, who has spent decades studying snakes in the Philippines. The snake is even part of a new genus, or a taxonomic classification that species are grouped under, that was named after Leviton.
The second part of the scientific name, mirus, translates from Latin to marvelous.
There are a lot of cases where specimens are misidentified, and sometimes its going to be another species from the area thats already been described and someone just misidentified it. Other times, it turns out to be something really different, like in this case, Weinell said.
The specimens in the institute's biodiversity collection are the only known ones ever found, Weinell said, something he unsuccessfully tried to rectify in 2017 when he traveled to the Philippines to find more of the species.
Weinell is now planning a trip back to the country in the fall in hopes of trapping a living specimen of the new snake.
Weinell wont complete his doctoral degree at Kansas until 2022, but he said he could see himself focusing his career on studying the evolution of life in the Philippines.
Theres a lot to discover, he said. The Philippines, it being an island archipelago, really lends itself to studying evolution. Each island is basically a replicate experiment of evolution.
View post:
Gonzales native discovers new species of snake native to the Philippines - The Advocate
- Ascension Public Schools to hold public forums on school bond renewal election - WAFB - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Eran Hersh and Kasango Unite for Tribal House Anthem, "Ascension" - EDM.com - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Honkai Star Rail Jingliu best build, Ascension materials, Traces, and Light Cone - Eurogamer.net - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Ascension Sacred Heart Bay fights hypertension with new procedure - The News Herald - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Honkai Star Rail Aventurine materials, kit, and Eidolons - Eurogamer.net - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Live Oak victorious over East Ascension | Sports | livingstonparishnews.com - The Livingston Parish News - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Honkai: Star Rail Leaks Harmony Trailblazer Ascension and Trace Materials - GameRant - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Genshin Impact Neuvillette materials, kit, and Constellations - Eurogamer.net - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- While Ascension shelter closes for quarantine, non-profit group taking in additional cats - WBRZ - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Joliet nurses to strike after turning down Ascension Healthcare's 'best and final' offer - Yahoo News - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Denham Springs victorious over East Ascension | Sports | livingstonparishnews.com - The Livingston Parish News - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Genshin Impact Xianyun best build, Talent and Ascension materials, weapon, and team - Eurogamer.net - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Joliet Nurses to Strike Protesting Illegal Implementation of Ascension Offer - The Times Weekly - February 7th, 2024 [February 7th, 2024]
- Ascension Michigan CEO discusses faith in health care at UTG at Work roundtable - Detroit Catholic - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Ascension Parish deputies arrest man accused of stealing cash, guns from cars - Yahoo! Voices - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- After 455 days in shelter, Ascension pup gets forever home amid freezing temps - WAFB - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Ascension Community Theatre to put on 110th show with A Raisin in the Sun - BRProud.com - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Positive takeaways for the Cowboys? CeeDee Lambs ascension, DaRon Blands meteoric rise - The Athletic - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- When, where Atomic Burger will open in Ascension Parish - BRProud.com - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Here is a look inside the new West Ascension Early Learning Center in Donaldsonville - Weekly Citizen - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- What's going on in Ascension Parish? Winter 2024 events calendar for Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Prairieville, Sorrento ... - Weekly Citizen - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Several pets find homes following freezing weather in Ascension Parish - Weekly Citizen - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Krewe of Ascension Mambo's 2024 Mardi Gras parade set for Feb. 3 in Gonzales - Weekly Citizen - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Ascension Parish man accused of assaulting law enforcement officers during Jan. 6: U.S. attorney report - Weekly Citizen - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Ascension Parish, LA High School Girls Basketball Schedule, Streaming Live Today - January 26 - KSLA - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Winey named as supervisor of early childhood education in Ascension Parish - The Advocate - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Firefighters battle blaze at Donaldsonville building | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Ascension Parish to receive $2.2 million in FEMA funding for Hurricane Ida debris removal - Weekly Citizen - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Society Gala Honoring 2024 Award Winners - Rutherford Source - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Genvid denies using AI to write Silent Hill: Ascension - GamesIndustry.biz - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Uptick in COVID and flu prompts universal masking at Ascension Via Christi - News Radio KMAN - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Silent Hill: Ascension's terrible Jam Man (who likes to make jams) was not written by AI, says Genvid CEO: 'every word ... - PC Gamer - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Silent Hill Ascension co-creator responds to claims it's written by an AI - PCGamesN - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Ascension Borgess Lee Foundation hosts annual Tree of Love ... - Leader Publications - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Ascension St. John joins Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Okla.'s ... - Tulsa World - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Ascension St. Vincent takes active role with Habitat for Humanity ... - Catholic Diocese of Evansville - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Ascension's science chief on the mission-driven work to increase ... - Becker's Hospital Review - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Ascension St. Vincent sleep apnea patient 'inspired' after life-saving ... - WRTV Indianapolis - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Positive HCAHPS scores again for St. Vincent's Chilton - The ... - Clanton Advertiser - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Where does DaRon Blands rapid ascension put him in Defensive Player of the Year discourse? - The Athletic - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Silent Hill Ascension Could Be A Bad Sign For The Future Of Gaming - CBR - Comic Book Resources - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- VIRAL-WORTHY | The 'ascension story' of Stephen Sanchez | Reine ... - BusinessMirror - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Construction to begin on long-term project to prevent storm surge ... - KTBS - May 26th, 2023 [May 26th, 2023]
- How To Reach Cere's Base In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - TheGamer - May 26th, 2023 [May 26th, 2023]
- Knife-wielding man arrested after threatening Ascension Borgess staff - WWMT-TV - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Pat McAfees Ascension to ESPN Superstardom Is a Sign of the Times - The Ringer - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Online threat made against East Ascension High prompts police investigation - WBRZ - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Is Thursday a holy day of obligation? It depends on where you live - Catholic News Agency - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Inaugural VCT Ascension Pacific 2023 is heading to Thailand - ONE Esports - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Honkai: Star Rail Jing Yuan Ascension and Trace Materials - GameRant - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- WSU, Ascension announce partnership to bolster health care ... - The Derby Informer - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Wichita State and Ascension Via Christi partnership works to alleviate nursing shortage - KSN-TV - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Our Human Nature Attains Heaven in the Ascension - Catholic Exchange - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Finding the balance within educational excellence prepares Ascension Episcopal seniors to master valuable life skills - The Advocate - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ascension Parish Council's Aaron Lawler will not run for re-election - Weekly Citizen - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Jesus Is Still With Us Even After His Ascension To Heaven - CatholicPhilly.com - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ascension, Assumption & St. James guilty pleas 5/8 to 5/12 - L ... - L'Observateur - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Yae Miko ascension materials and where to find them - The Sportsrush - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Repainted mural portrays ascension of Jesus at First Evangelical ... - TribLIVE - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Around Ascension for May 17, 2023 | Ascension | theadvocate.com - The Advocate - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Gospel in Art: The Ascension of Our Lord | ICN - Independent Catholic News - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Stories of Power from the Vulnerable People - America: The Jesuit Review - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- SPRING FOOTBALL | Beard pleased with Yellow Jackets' work ... - The Livingston Parish News - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Highs of 30C expected in Germany over Ascension Day weekend - IamExpat in Germany - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- ACHS baseball denied 4th state championship in D4 finals - The Advocate - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Why history still matters in heaven - America: The Jesuit Review - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- 7th Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Ascension Day) - Church Times - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- New Orleans Opera Association presents Jobs Off the Stage career ... - Weekly Citizen - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Our Lady of the Lake announces Dr. Chris Trevino as VP, Physician ... - Weekly Citizen - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ascension Thursday: Camping rules in place ahead of Fatima ... - RTL Today - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- TWO ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH PRAIRIEVILLE HOUSE ... - L'Observateur - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- They Watch Us From The Moon - Cosmic Chronicles: Act 1, The ... - All About The Rock - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Book Review: Ascension, by Nicholas Binge - The New York Times - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- A new mascot is storming into Ascension Parish. Meet the Prairieville High Hurricanes - The Advocate - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- Immortal Ascension #1 in Fairsquare's July 2023 Solicits - Bleeding Cool News - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- Dr Devon Hoover Obituary: Ascension Michigan Neurosurgeon Shot To Death - PKBnews.in - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- Nurses spotlight hypocrisy of Ascension at gala event - National Nurses United - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- Ascension Public Schools honors Support Personnel of the Year for ... - Weekly Citizen - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- Around Ascension for April 26, 2023 - The Advocate - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- At the library. Ascension Library offers variety of programming for ... - The Advocate - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]